Poll: Competition fee choices you prefer

Which one of the 5 options is your preferred choice?

Take into consideration the competition is obviously well organised, professionally run, has the latest and newest event equipment, average size venue with standard facilities etc, easy to get to, and runs on time every time from start to finish.

The UMA have always been about supporting the Martial Arts and Combat Sports, and putting on excellent Events for everyone to attend, whether it be the Part-Time Practitioner and Hobbyist, to the Professional Athlete.

With that we have made the following decision which we feel will continue to support and help the growth of Martial Arts and talent that we are involved and part of here in the UK with our Affordable, Prestigious and Professionally run Annual Open Championship Events.

Athlete Entry Fees for the remainder of the following UMA Open Championship Events in 2011 and for all forthcoming 2012 Open Championship Events:

From 2012 for our Two Day Open Championship Events; Athlete Entry Fees (Entered in Both Events on Both Days)

• £30 (2 x £15)

So what do you get for your £15 Competitor entry fee:

Quality Bespoke, Heavy 5mm Thick x 115mm wide Olympic sized medals with bespoke printed ribbons (This will now be as standard for all at the UMA Open Championship Events).

Fully Insured (Event Public Liability) Championship Events by the UMA NGB (This has always been standard at the UMA).

Straight Elimination + Free Entry to the Absolute = 2 Contest minimum available to all Athletes Entered, and 75% of the Athletes will get a minimum of 3 Contests (This Format will now be standard for all UMA Events).

Brackets have always started on their approximate start times, so it's never been a problem (This has always been standard at UMA events).

All Brackets have always been completed, and with the medals presented by no later than 6.30pm or sooner (This has always been standard at UMA events).

Medals are presented as each Bracket finishes on a Winners Podium to give the event and athlete even more prestige and pride etc (This has been standard at UMA events since2009).

Standard (Chairs) Seating or Bleacher Seating will be provided for up to 1000 people (This is now standard for all UMA NGB events since 2010 due to the move to a bigger venue).

The venue can easily hold and run up to 9 full sized matted contest areas if we are ever required to do so in the future (This has been as standard for all at the UMA events since 2010).

Athletes can weigh in as soon as they arrive at the venue (This has always been standard at UMA events).

Approximate start and finish times for all brackets (This has always been standard at UMA events since 2009).

A good size matted warm-up and holding area for the Athletes (This has always been standard at UMA events).

Athletes list and time/schedule posted on the walls in the Athletes warm up/holding area (This has always been standard at UMA events since 2010).

Event First Aid Support at all our Events (This has always been standard at UMA events).

We have use of the venues clear PA system and our own portable PA system too, which is a small 100 watt speaker system, but still very clear (This has been as standard at UMA events since 2010).

Athletes list emailed to every Registered Athlete and also posted online at least 3 to 5 days before the event. (This has always been standard practice here at the UMA).

Any single Athlete in any one Bracket is always given the option of either moving up or into another Bracket, or given a full refund at least 3 to 5 days before the event. (This has always been standard practice here at the UMA).

Results are posted online within 24 hours of the event, sometimes on the same evening after the event. (This has always been standard practice here at the UMA).

Top quality and top notch 40mm thick event contest mats, that do not slide or move etc, and that are also cleaned for every event (This has always been standard practice here at the UMA).

The latest electronic scoreboards and event equipment (This has now been standard for all UMA events since 2010).

Hard working, Qualified and Experience Referee's, Table Officials and Event Staff for our Annual Open Events; Groundfighting, Grappling Ne Waza and BJJ (This has always been the case at all UMA events).

Excellent parking facilities (This has been as standard for all at the UMA NGB events since 2007 at all our venues we have used).

Friendly and welcoming atmosphere, professional and helpful event staff, well organised, excellently run events to give an enjoyable experience for all levels and ages etc. (This has always been the case at all UMA events).

Changing rooms, lockers and showers (This is now standard for all UMA events since 2010 at our new venue).

A Cafe in the Venue (This again is now standard for UMA events since 2010 at our new venue).

No Athlete Entries will be accepted after the Closing Date, which will be 6.00pm on the Sunday (1 week) prior to the Event Date.

No Athlete Entries will be accepted on the Day of the Event.

No Extra Charges/Fees for Online Entries and Registration etc, unlike some Events that do Charge for Registering and Paying Online (This has always been standard at UMA events).

No Extra Charges/Fees for Late Entries, unlike some events that do charge anywhere from £10 + or more extra per entry, as we will not be operating any Late Entry Registrations etc, for any and all of our Events.

The UMA NGB wants to give the Competing Athletes, their supporters, friends and family etc, the feel, excitement and atmosphere of any current top quality, worthy National, European even International Open Event, but make ours affordable and excellent value for money for the Athletes, and not to the cost and expense of what some other large National, European and International event charges for the same, or even lesser run, lesser equipped and not so well organised events. (This has and always will be our goal, to be the best we can be for everyone who attends our events).

So, yes we can give the majority what they want, if anything, a lot more than most events, all we ask now is for those of you who have never attended one of our Championship Events, please attend and support any of our Annual Championship Open Events, get involved, and experience possibly one of the best organised, professionally run and friendly events, with an exciting and electric atmosphere, fantastic and fast paced action on display on our mats, that is second to no one, and at a sensible and affordable cost to the Competing Athletes.

We will now put our neck on the line and take the lead with the hope of other BJJ and Grappling Events following our example, this for our community here in the UK.

Hopefully, we’ll see some of you that have not yet attended any of our Open Championship Events soon, and we also look forward to seeing our loyal and regular attending Clubs and Athletes again soon also.

Due to the New Entry Fee Policy of the UMA for the events from October 2011, we have also decided to reduce the Entry Fee to £15 for one day and/or £30 for both days for the up and coming Groundfighting Championships on the 27th and 28th August.

Athletes who have already paid will receive the applicable refund etc, so you will only be charged either £15 or £30 for your entry.

The New Online Registration Fee has now been altered and changed to reflect the New Entry Fee Policy from the UMA NGB
One Entry to One Single Event: £15